Button-making machine



May 5, 1925.

E. cLEMENs BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Fliled April 3, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY y A TToRNEx '5f May '5, 1925.

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE 9 sheets-sheet s Filed Apri; s. 1919 IN V EN TOR.

BY 06M 7% dm ATToR/vlw E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE May l5, .1925.

Filed April's', 1919 Q-s'heetS-sheet 4 "HAU i ifl Humm

. @6MM INVENTOR.

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE May 5,` 1925.

9` She'ets-Sheet 5 Filed April s, 1919 UWE/WOR.

BY MM'. du@ ATTORNEY May 5, 19.25 Y 1,536,423

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE' Filed April 5. 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 l Ml llh l i hl lil Il l u n 'll 3 f3 1 l 3N Ml z HMI ."1 Il Q lll W I l* lf 1 w IN V EN TOR.

May 5, 1925.

. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1919 9 Sl'leelS-Shee'l 7 INVENTOR.

BY Q' GMM ATTORNEY lMany 5; 1925 1,536,423

E. CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed April s, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

JM@ ATTORNEY.

-May 5,. 1921sY ,N 1,536,423

E; CLEMENS BUTTON MAKING MACHINE Filed April 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 (f/4444,94 INVENTOR.

BY 06;@ ATTORNEY .[Fatented May ti, iid-...lit

narran ortica.

. .arrancan cnnninns, on naar new nssrsnon 'no sumaron ivonv nennen connaitre', on Ivnwann; nsw a coarone'rion cnnnw annecy.

known `in the art? Application filed April 3, 1919. Serial No. 237,121. i

it known that l. `EngelnUien CLniunNs, citizen orn the Dominion of `Canadaa hut `having1 dec ared my intention to hecon'ie a citizen oi' the' United States, and now residing; in the city ot East Orange, county oli l-Dssex, and iitate o'lllew Jersey, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Button-li/l'alting l/iachines, ot which the following" is a specification.

1iWhile my invention is more specifically adapted to the manufacture otliiuttons from the well-hinown vegetable ivory nut., oi' as lnown in commerce, the corrozzo nut, yetby slight changes in the holding` devices. it

`may he utilized in the manufacture oft huttons trom any material. such as inotlicnctpearl7 ivory.` bone.. wood, metal. etc.

While button making machines are well et my improvement cont f 'inlates many changes, looifiingf to the `increased output. making; the machines as nearly automatic `as conditions will permit.

y iijfiproving the duality of the 'product maln. if possihleto utilize a larn'ei proportion of the raw stock with .tewer c-illls or dis cards; and in general. to improve and sim- Qlity the mechanical structure of `button making machines.

ln, carrying out my invention. l matie use ot the mechanism and structures sulostan-1 tially as described in the 'following` specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein` Fig. 'l s a 'front elevation;

'b'. 2 is a right end elevation;

n. 9 is a rear elevation;

is alett end elevation ot the coniplete machine.

Fig'. 5 is en enlarged plan.

lli-01.6 is au elevation ot a portion ot the rear side ot the machine, i

Fig". 7 an elevation ot the main drive shaft andthe parts immediately connected therewith and driven thereby. y

Fig. d is a detail ot the intermittent drivinn; mechanism.

Fini. 9 is a plan of the main drive shaft and .its supporting; y bracket.

lli. l() is a detached side elevation of the main driven cam shaft.`

Figs. 1l., l2, 1?. 145.15 and 16 are respec-` tively elevations ot the several canas mount- @nunonthe Shaft Fig. l? is a detached elevation ot the short cross shaft, which is driven by the earn shaft. y

18 is an elevation oit two ot the cams mounted upon the short cross shaft.

Fig. 19 is a detached view 'of the inde pendent severing mechanism` and the brake for the chuck Qlate. i

vFlog. i9 1s a plan view ot the hell-crank actuating lever.

Fic; 2G is a similar view illustrating the tren-:lle `operated mechanism tor operatingv the mechanisms.V

liie. 2T i., longitudinal section of the spotter mechanism.

28 isa cross section through the gear case oit the sootter mechanism.

Fig. 29 is a gear plan ot the spotter gear train and ratchet.

30. 3i, 32 and are respectively rear, plan, front and sectional views of the chuck plate.

Fig. 34; is a diagrammatic view of the chuck plate. showing the successive positions ot the seven chucks during a complete cycle ot operation uiten the buttons.

l? 35 a fragmentary view ot' the ch piste. showinq' the `relative positions ot the spotter actuating;` mechanism and the chi-.ick plate hralte: also the position of the auxiliaiwv chuck holding1 shoe-tor preventing the shifting; ot the button stock.

Fig'. 36 is a broken sectional view of the tool actuating bars.

Fic'. 87 is a sectional view ot the mechanisin ,tor eltectine a longitudinal adjustment ot the cutting tools by hand.`

38 is a sectional view ot the main drive shaft. y

39 is a view `ot the .cuide bracket for holding the tool actuating hars against rotation.

instit 0,01- efliustiee; mechanism Figs. 41 and 42 are respectivelyv detached views of the mechanism for reciprocating` the tool actuating bars.

Fig. 48 is a detached view of the mechanism for actuating,` the chuck holding shoe.

Figs. 44 and 45 are respectively side and end views ot the mechanism for actuating the spotter.

Fig. 46 is a vieiv of the mechanism for operating the chuck plate locking device.

Fig'. 47 is a sectional view ot a piece ot button stock showing the location ot the button cut therefrom.

Fig. 48 is a similar view sliowinr;v another piece ot button stock of different shape showing' the location ot the button eut therefrom.

The main 'traine l ot the n'iaehine is generally rectangular, as shown in plan in Fig'. 5. At one end is the bracket having the bearings 3, in Which the main t" 'ving shaft 4 mounted. Power is communicated to the shaft 4 from the driven counter pulley through the belt which passes over the direction pulleys 7, to the pulley 8 upon the shaft 4. Upon the opposite end oi"Iv shaft 4 is a Worm 9, which engi ges and drives vthe Worin -ivheel 1G, the latter being mounted upon the shaft 11 which is carried in bearings 12 and 13 on the front or" the frame l. Upon the shat't 11 there are several cams mounted, which Will be reiterred to hereafter in connection With the elements Which they operate.

Upon the shaft l1, there is mounted adjacent to the Worm Wheel 10, a sine'le-tootl'i disk element of the ivell-knoivn Genera stop as 14, the other element 15 of which is mounted upon the end et a short sl t 16. carried in bearings 17 upon the trame oi the machine. The element 15 has the seven open slots in its periphery Jfor enpygeinent with theA single tooth ot he element 14. whereby the continuous rotary motion ot the `shalt 4 is converted into intermittent ig'otary motion ot the shatt 16 at the ratio ot 7: l.

The spur gear 19' is rigidly mounted upon the shaft 16, immediately adjacent to tl i l nent 15. and the pinion 2G.. which latter secured uson the end ot the shaft 2l.. the `Qfear ratio bein.' 2:1.. The shaft 21 is mounted in bearinrgs upon the traine 1. and carries at its opposite end the disk chuck plate 23. The chuck plate has mounted upon its tace a series of seven chucks :14, of peculiar structure adapted to grip and hold the irrepgi'ilarlv shaped raviv stock from which the buttons are made. The structure ot the chucks will he more fully described hereafter.

At the rigglit hand end ofl the 'trame l is the short r-ross shatt 25. having); upon its end the in-iter gear 26 for engagement with the miter gear 27 upon the end of the shaft 11.

Upon the shaft 25, there are a number of cams 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. The functions Will be later described in detail. (See Fig. 17

The frame l provided with the tivo hoods A and B, which serve as supports and bearings for various parts ot the operative mechanism. These hoods are so located upon the frame that the chuck plate 253 may swing between their adjacent ends, and since the button stock must be operated upon simultaneously Jfrom opposite sides, parts of the operative mechansin respectively carried by the tivo hoods A and B are in many cases duplicates.

Upon the rear side oit the Jframe, and carried in the bearings 35, 36 and 37, 38 in the end Walls of the hoods A and B, are the tivo tubular tool actuating bars 89 and 49. arranged in axial alignment. lWithin these bars is the connecting' rod 41, extending from the outer end of the bar 40 to a point within the bar 39, Where it connects With the powerful contractile springl 42, the opposite end of Which is secured to the outer end ot' the bar 39 by the cross pin 43. Adjusting` nuts are provided upon the screw threaded end of the rod 41, to bear upon the outer end ot the bar 40, so that the tension ot the spring; 42 may be regulated and the bars 39 and 40 may be drawn towards each other with greater or less force as desired or as necessitj,T requires.

Upon the bar 39. the sleeve 44 is rigidly secured, said sleeve being connected to the bell-crank lever 45 by the link 46. See Fig. 41.) The free end of the lever 45 is provided With a roller 45 which bears in the cam slot 47 of the cam disk 3l. the latter being' mounted upon the cross shaft 25, as above set torth. A. similar sleeve 49 is mounted upon the bar 40 and connected by the link 50 to the bell o ank lever 51. which latter has the roller 52 runningy in the cani slot 53 cit the cam disk 32. the latter being also mounted on the cross shaft 25. The tivo bell crank levers are pivotally mounted upon the trame 1 at 48. The disks 31 and 32 are so placed upon the sha't't 25 that their respective canislots 47 and will cause oscillations of the levers 45 and 51 in opposite directions at substantially the same time, so that the adjacent ends ot' the bars 39 and 40 will approach and recedefroin each other. (See Figs. 6, 41 and 42.)

Upon the outer ends ot the bars 39 and 40 are the two-armed brackets the arms 56. 57 of which serve as headstocks for the tivo tool spindles 58 and 59. which are provided with the sleeves 60. 61 (see Fifr. 37) to slide horizontalliY in the arms 56. 57. Yokes 62. 63 integral with said sleeves. project laterally therefrom respectivelv tor adjustment purposes as hereafter' described. The sleeves 60, G1 are internally threaded to receive the llU `screw threaded spindles 58, 597 which are lll each provided withthe hand wheels 64;, hy which the spindles majT be adjusted longi tudiiially within said sleeves. rllhe inner ends ot the spindles 58, 59 are provided with ordinary end couplings 56, 67, to receive the ieaded ends of the tool shatts GS, 69, which are mounted inbearings 70, 71 and T2, T3

in the end walls ot the supporting hood TUpon the shafts 68, 69 are the pulleys-NM, To, respectively, over which the drive belt 'lli rims from any source oit' power, as from the pulley?? on the shai't 78, The roughing` and finishing` cuttingl tools T9, are set iii the ends oit the shafts 68, 69, and rotate therewith.

From the above description, it will he seen that as the points oit the tools wear down and the tools become shorter, they may be longitudinally adjusted to provide tor such wear by the hand adjustment oit the spindles within the sleeves 60, (il, so that the two sets of tools upon the opposite side oli the button` stock may be made to approach each other to the saine point at each stroke. ril`he operative mechanism and adjusting mechanism for the cutting,- tools mounted upon the hood l are alike in all respects those just described as mounted upon the hood A; a detailed 7 description ot` thein is therefore deemed unnecessary.

The seven chucks 2d, as shown in 30 to 33 mounted upon the chuck plate 28, are all identical in construction and uni tornilv spaced apart. A description ot one will siitlice. in an aperture 81. in the plate 23, the tubular jaw 82 :is rigidly secured. The outer end ot the jaw is serrated to formtceth which engage and firmly hold the button stock 83m place. Vlhe chuck hase 84 is secured to the plate 23 b v the bolts tiowhich pass through said plate and are screwed into 1oosses Q70 in said hase. lUpon the outer said base 8111. is the projection 8'?, slotted as at SS. 89, to receive the two pivoted jaws. or grippers 90, 91, the tree ends ot which are outwardly curved and register with the tuhularjaw .82, so as to grip and hold the button stock in place during` the several operationsthereon. The Ijaws 90. 91. are guided in the slotted projection and their outward movement is limited bv the T-shaped leat which is held in place upon the projection 92 hv the screw bolt 941-. rlhe plate 23 has the aperture 95 pass ingr through a boss 95 upon its rear tace. and located so tocoine between the two jaws 90. 91. lin theapertui'e 95 is the bolt 90which entends between the` jaws 90.` 91, and provided with. the cross pin 97, bv which it is connected to said jaws. The apposite end ot the holt 96 hasthe cross pin 9 id 'washer 99.4 between which and the liess 911) iS the powerful spring,- 100? the tace oi the inner end ot two separate devices, whose desciijitio' itollowszwllhe clinch plate 23 isprovld ,d with the seven holes 101. as shown in '-ll near its pcripherjT and adjacent to the seven chucks 24, respectively. Upon the hracket 10Q, l mount the sliding holt 1.02E-7 in position to enter these holes successively as the plate stops in its intermittent rotation at the point when the button stock is in correct position to lie-operated upon by the cutting; tools. '.lhe reciprocation ot the bolt 103 is eil'ected by means ot a lever 104, pivoted at 105 upon the traine 1. The lower end et this lever is connected b v the rod 10h. tov the lower end oit the cam lever 107q which is pivoted upon the arm 108, elftending1 'from the traine 1,fahove the cross shaft Q5; the cam roller 109 upon the lower part oit the lever 107 is in engage--` nient i ith. the cani Qd upon the shaft 25. The cani Q8 is so placed upon the shatt 25 as to properly time the opei.. ion ot the holt l0?) to correspond with the' periods ot restot the plate 23, and to withdraw said bolt trom the holes just prior to the time when the plate 23 begins to rotate. This setting' ot the bolt is ettected bv the con-` tractile spring` 110, one end `ot which is connected with the rod 100, and the other with the trame 1. This serves to shoot the bolt hoine into the holes lOl it in j ilacefwhile the roller 109 is travelling upon the low part ot the cam 28 the high part ot whichti the bolt 103` from locking); engagement with the plate 23. In this manner the plate 23 is held trom shitting; or back-lash during' the cutting; operation. The other device vhas to do with the chuck jaws 90. 91. ot the the longhearing- 111. is thereciprocating` rodll)J7 carrying; at its inner end a presser toot 113, the 'tace ot `which is arc-shaped i and concentric to the `apertures 95; in the chuck plate 23 (as shown in Fig. 35; it is in position to hear upon the projecting ends ofthe two holts 96 which are for the time being in iront of it, and while the cutand lirnily grip the button stock and hold throupjh `the intermediate `coiinection describedl servesto withdraw ting operation is goingon. During the time that the plate 23 is rotating, the foot 113 is withdrawn from engagement with the bolts 93, so as not to interfere with the free rotation of the plate 23. The movements of the rod 112 and foot 113 are effected by the cam lever 114 see Figs. 5 and L3, which is pivoted at 115 upon the arm 116 projecting from the hood B. The lever 114i extends downwardly and is provided with a cam roller 11.7 near its lower end for engagement with the cam 30, upon the shaft 25. Apowerful contractile spring; 118 connects the free end of the lever 1121 with the frame 1, and serves to give a strong but yielding] pressure to the foot 113 upon the bolts 93, which is added to the pressure afforded by the springs 1GO., to more rmly grip the button st ck between the chuck jaws 82 and 90, 91. The hin'h part of the cam 30 serves to withdraw the foot 113 from the bolts 96. The two devices last described constitute important features of my invention, inasmuch as they insure perfect mechanical work upon the buttons which the machine is designed to turn out. Y

ln the manufacture. of buttons from the corrozzo, or vegetable ivory nut, it is found that only the portions of the nut near the surface are the best for the purpose. The nuts are cut up into slabs as illustrated in Figs. 417, d8 of suitable size from which to cut one ormore buttons. These slabs are of irregular shape and of varying` thicknesses; a slab may be thick on one edge and thin upon the other as in Fig'. 48. Unless some means are employed to regulate the cutters it would very often happen that they would not cut they button from the stock in such a place as to produce a perfect button, in other words, with a wedge shaped slab Vas shown in Fig. 4:8 the cutter at the rear would cut to such a depth that the front cutter would not touch the lower or thin spot thus leaving an imperfect or bark7 surface upon one side of the button. ln order to overcome this defect, and thus save a large percentage of what would otherwise be useless button stock l have provided what l call a stock spotter which. is in effect a set of selector mechanism which permits the machine to select automatically not onlyv the best part of the stock in a reguarly shaped slab but also to so adjust the cutters that they select a proper depth of cut to ensure a perfect button from an irregularly or wedge shaped slab.

The mechanism by which this is accomplished, consists of several groups of d..- vices, which are successively actuated and. so timed as to the other movements of the machine as to be entirely automatice and depend upon the shape of the slab itself for their several adjustments.

Upon the back of the chuck plate 23 (see Figs. 30 to 33), and between the chucks, there is a series of seven recesses 119 with parallel side walls 120; these recesses extend to the open slots 121 in the peripheral flange 122 of the plate 23. Fitted to slide between he walls 120 as guides, are the seven cam plages the outer ends of which are provided with lams 124- which may project tluoufgh the slots 121 beyond the peripheral `mace of the flange 122, the plates 123 are provided with slots 125 which take over the pins 126 in the plate 23 to limit the inward n'iovenient of the plates 123, which is effected bj' the springs 127 connecting the inner end of the plates 123 with the plate f near its hub. rlhe outward movement of the plates 123 is effected by means of the bell crank lever 128, pivoted upon the bracket 129 upon the front face of the plate 23. @ne arm of the lever 128 projects through an aperture in plate 23 and into a slot 123 in plate 123. The other arm of the lever 128 extends toward the center of the plate 3. From this it will be seen that the oscillation of the bell crank lever 128 will reciprocate the plate 123 and cause the'cam end 124ito project more or less from the periphery of the plate 23, while when free the plate will he withdrawn by the spring 127. ln a recess 130 extending laterally from one wall of the recesses 119, is a spring' doei 131, pivoted at 132 with its free end bearing; upon the edge of the plate 123. This free end is curved slightly excentric to the pivot 132 and is roughened or serrated to grip the edge of the plate and prevent its recession under the tension of the spring 12'?. The structure is such thatv a movement of the bell crank lever 128 will move the plate 123 but the dog 131 will catch and hold said plate at whatever point it may be projected vz'hile the tripping of the dog 131 will release the plate 123 and permit the spring); 127 to withdraw the plate into its recess. The oscillation of the lever 128 is ctlected by means of the selective mechanism and the parts related therewith. Upon the upper part of the hood A, as shown in Figs. 5, t', le and 45, I mount a bearingy bracket 13j, in which the shank 133 of the spotter reciprocates and intermittently rotates with the anis of said shank in alignment with the center of the fixed jaws 82 as they are successively brought to rest during;` the intermittent rotation of the plate 23. rlllie end of the shank is provided with an erf-:tended point 134. The shank 133 is connected to the oscillating' lever 135 by the fork 136 the arms of which straddle the end of the shank between the fixed collars 137 thereon; the lever 135 is pivoted at 138 upon the hood A, and its lower end is connected by the link 140 to the upper end of the cam lever 14:1, the latter being pivoted at 1112,

ffl

theend -Waflls of the hoods il. and B, so that it has no endvwise movement. Surroimding` the sleeve 167, is the torsion spring 163, one end of which is connected to the rigid eollar 167wupon said sleeve, and the other end is firmly connected to the hood il. This spring` is under heavy tension, and is ot sutlicient strength to rotate the shafts 153, 1.59 and with them, the ycams 162, 1"'3,

against the resistance oii'ered by the rollers 166. Upon the sleeve 167 is the lateral arm 167', .in position 'to engage land rest upon the `outer edge ot' the cam plates 123, as they v.are .brought to lrest yadjacent thereto during the intermittent rotation oi the chuck plate v'23. While l lhave called the elements 123 cam plates, yet they are more in the nature of stops, and the extent ot their projection beyond vthe periphery ot the ehueh plate 23 will therefore determine the final cutting of the cutters '79, 30, with re speet to .the button stock. For as hitherto described, a thin spot in the stoel;l Will necessitate a-cut closer to the chuck jaw 32, While a thiol; piece of stock vwill necessitate a cut `farther aivay from said jaw, in order to cut a perfect button.

From the tact that the gear ratios have been so selected that the chuck plate 23 makes 2/7 oi' a revolution for each revolution oi the shafts 11 and 25, it will Ibe seen that every alternate chucl: will be Vbrought into position successively, thus making twocoinplete revolutions of the chuck plate necessary in order that `all of the successive operations upona single button may be coni` plete. 'lhis makes it necessary to Withdraw? the arm 137" 'from the path oi' alternate cani plates 123, and permit said arm to fall haelt into Contact with the intervening' cam plates; lotl'ierwise a malfunction would iiolloiv. Upon the hub 139, oi the bearing` 35, the loose sleeve 170 is mounted to i'reely roate. Upon this sleeve is a lateral crank 'arin 171, trom which the link '172 leads to the Cain lever 173, vwhich latte' pivoted at upon the frame ot' the ina ne. The lever 1'? 3 has a cam roller 174i, which bears vupon the. cam 311 upon the extreme end oi'.I the cross shaft 25. The sleeve 170 has a projection 176 upon its upper side, in position to en gage a rigid projecting; finger 177 upon the shaft 153. The cams 31, 32, which `operate the bars 39, 410, lthrough Jthe bell crank levers 15, 51, and 'the cam Sil are so related and timed that when the bar 39 and shaft 153 are Withdrawn into their outermost posi.- tions, the cam 34- Will through the connecting link 172, rock the sleeve 170, causing the projection 176 to engage the linger 177 and roel; the shalt 153, thereby carrying the arm 167 from the path of the cam plate 123 which at that moment is swinging past it. However, the shaft 25 revolves continuously and the roller 174 rides upon the loW part of the cam the sleeve 170 is returned to its initial position, vthereby permitting the springl 133 to rotate the shalt 153 until such time as the arm 167" comes into contact with the succeeding cam plate 123 which in the meantime `advanced to its position and there stopped. The cam plate 123, having` been previously adjusted by vthe .spotting mecha nism as described, it therefore Yfollows that it is nroperly set to permit a button to be cut r1from the -stoclr it the particular .point detern'iined by the spottingl point.

The other cutters are governed by substan tially duplicate mechanism in `all respects. with the single exception that in piace ot the arm 157, 1 provide a rock shatt 130 with an arm 131, and connect said arm with arm 132 upon the sleeve 133, by the linlr 1341. rllh-i-s mechanism is solely for the purpose oi" shitting 'the arm 131 to the position for engaging the particular cam plate 121-3 which for the time being` is ,f irwerning)y the roughing cutter 7 9. he arm 131 is moved out ot the path of alternate cams in substantially the same manner as shown in connection with the arm 167 so `that there 'is never any improper rotation ot' the sleeve 1323. (See Fig.

The mechanism thus tar described serves to cut the buttons by two separate operations, viz: the roughing cut, which shapes or forms the button in the stock; and the linisling` out, which completes the forming opera` tion and sinoothes the suriaee of the saine to its inal finish, the button being still connected to the bod;v ofi the stock by a marginal iin as shown at c, Fig. 43. This lin is cut at the 7th step-in the` rotation ot the ehucl'; plate 23, by the severing` cutter 135, which carried by a reciprocating` spindle 133, Figs. 1, 5 and 19 mounted on the frame 1, and driven by 'the helt 137 from any source ot' power. rllhis spindle reciproeated lg.' leans of a bell crank lever 133, pivoted at 139, which is oseillated by a lever 190, piv` oted at 191, and havingA a earn roller192 bearing upon the cam 133, upon the shaft 11. The spring 1311 connects the lever 133 to the hearing 195 which niounted upon the frame 1, and said spring serves to pull thf` spindle with its cutter against the tin a. and thus sever the otherwise formed button 'troia the bodj/ ot the stocl. rihe spindle 13G pushed in the opposite direction by the lever 133, lever 190, and cam 193, `as will be readilv understood. l

lWhen the button is severed from the stoel; or slab, the clutch which holds the stoel( in place upon the clutch plate niust be released and the stoel: discharged to make Way.' for a nen'v piece of buttonstoek. This is done by means of the sliding rod 193, mounted in the bearing 197, Figs. 1, 19 and 211.. in the standard 133, Which is secured to the frame 1. The rod 196 is in direct alignment lation of the lever 199 by the cani will` with the bolts 96, when they arrive successively at the "thstep in the rotation ol: the chuck plate 'llhe outer end ot the rod 196 has 'the lever 199 connected to it, said lever being pivoted to the 'traine at 9.00, and having` thecani roller 201 at .its lower end tor engagement with the tace olE kthe cani disk 202, upon the shatt 11. nthe o il- 0T; and surtace 1t troni drive `the `rod 196 against the holt thus raise the flaws 90, 91 troni the oli'the button stoel-r and thus release the chuck. i

1t sometimes happens that the hutten stoclz: is gripped between the chuclr jaws so tightly that it sticks, andwill not drop out when the jaws are released, as described. ln order to give it a sharp rap, and so loreal( it loose, l provide cani lever E203 (Figs. 1, 5 and 10), pivoted at 5301; upon the 'traine 1, and extending; up in alignifnent with the 7 th step position. lhe lower end ot the lever is bent into Lfshape to Ieiigagre a shouldered cani 205, upon the shaitt 11. llhe spring`v 2,06 connects the upper arm oi the lei-*er 203 with the traine 1, and when the Lshaped end ot said lever snaps over the shoulder ot the cam the upper end o1I said lei/er will ily forward and give thehutton stoclra sharp rap, therebyY loosening it'lron'i the clinch jaw teeth. m p

l llpon the return ot `the sliding; rod 190 from engagement with the holts the spring;` 100 will airain `the clinch; jaws 90, 91 against the iaw ln order to open the said 'jaws 'for the ins ,ion 01"? a fresh piece oit `the button. stock, l provide the sliding; rod 20'? 211 in alignment with the holte 96, as the;T arrive at thev 1st step in the rotation ont the chuclt plate 23; Vthe rod 207 is niounted in the upper part of the standard 198, and has its outer end connected with the upper arrn ot the hell cianlr leiter 52,00,l which latter is pivoted upon the standard at 209. f lhe horizontal arin ot said hell cranl; lever connected by the on tne link Q10 with the vertically sliding rod 211, which is mounted in hearings upon the traine 1. Upon this rod 211 are the two cani rollers Q12, 2.19, in position tor enient with the two cams 214, 215, up-

shatt 11, so arranged that npon the rotation of said caros, the rod 211 is recip rocated and its movement is communicated to the rod 20'? which. is torced against the holt 90, which at` that time is in alignment with it. The depression ot the holt 96 will open the iaws 9 0, 91, and permit the insertion ot a 'fresh piece et the button stock. llt-,will he noted that the can'is 2141, 215 are so placed upon the shalt 11, that 'tor a portion ot the revolution of thesha'tt 1,1, they are inactive so tar as operating,` the rod 211, and that the rod 211 may loe reciprocat ed independently. 'lhis condition is utilized for the purpose oli` permittingl the jaws 90, 91 to loe manipulated so as to reopen theni should the operator in his haste, iinproperlyT locate the button stock between the chuck `iaws. The rod 2311. is extended doifA/nwardly seine distance, and provided with a stop nut 216 at its lower end. .fliooVe this nut a sliding sleeie 21'?, having a pair of `lateral pins 218, for enga af li the hitureatedarins ot the lei.'v 219, inounted upon the horizontal shaft 220,

which shaft is carried in hearings 221,

in the traine 1.y rlhe `toot lever Q23, pivoted open one ot the legs oit the machine, is connected to a lateral arin 2241, upon the shalt 220, by 'the linl; by depressing said'toot lever, the shaft `i111 isroohed, and hy the mechanism just described, 'the chuck jaws 90,` 91 nia he independentliv opened hut onlyT at such tinie `as the two caros 2151-, 215 are in positions sulostantiallj,7 180 degrees troni those shown in Figs. 2li, 95 and 20.

lt will loe remembered that the cani plates 1523 werev set hy the. spotting mechanism as they successively pass the `2nd step or position of the chuck plate. The-y niust he released, preparatory to being; reset hetore thej/1 again reach their second step. mail lary mechanism operated hy the chuck opening device inst described is utilized for this purpose. 1n the standard 199, just above the rod 201', is another sliding` rodA which is rigidly connected to the rod 20'? hy the cross head connection 221', so that both rods nieve together. The rod 226 has its inner end chanrtered to forni. a cani 'for engagement with the dop; 131, which, as described holds the cani plate in its entended position, such engagement serving to .trip said dog, and release the cani plate 123,

to permit the spring 127." to withdraw the cani plate 1h13 within the periphery ot the chucl plate 23,. Upon the advance oit the chuck plate 923, to lering the released cani plate 1523 to the nent step or second position, the spotting; mechanism will hecolne operative `to reset the cutters 79, and 80, as hitherto described. i

ln the operation ot an automatic 1milton machine, such. the one here described, it is eten necessari7 to stop the machine at sorse je ot the operation in order to prercnt niald ctioning, or for some other reason.u i llut 'to bring the mechanism to a stop at the wrong;l stage oit' the operation may result disas ously to some part ot the niachine. i ain, in the placing ot the hutten stoel; between the chuck jaws, it may happen that the operator may not get it properlj,T placed, and the time is so short that he may not have time to shift it into proper position hetore the jaws close. To permit the machine run `ahead at such a point would result in spoiling; the .stock for 'that particular button, and it is desirable to stoy the machine, open the iavss and set the stock in its correct position. ln order to provide n'iechanisin 'for these conditions. the followine' structure has been designed. Tie :nain driving' sli-att 4 is inode tubular 'l'or a portion oi. its length, as shown in Fig. 28. The pulley 8 Figs. 3, G, 7, 9 and 353 is mounted loosely upon the shaft, and provided with clutch nieinber 230 upon its hub. lJTithi-n this clutch meniber. and sliding upon the shattfl-,is "5" .wl `-.-h

ie inale clutch member t, is secured to the slidingA push rod 2132, within the tubula shaft 4, by the pin The opposite end `or the rod 232 is connected by the pin 234 to the sliding collar 2'5, upon the shat't 4. Between the collar 2W and the bearing' 3, is a strong spring the tendency ot which is to torce the collar 235 along` the shaft 4, and with it tore"- the clutclrnieniber 231 into lirin engagement with the member '230, so 'that the pulley S and shaft 4 Will rotate together. l"

loon the shat't 4, and adjacent to the collar 2l is sleeve 237, loosely inounted to sli-fle upon said shaft, and bear upon the Collar 235. .Pivot-ed upon the bracket at 238 is a lev r 239, having its upper end bifurcated and straddling said slee-ve, with the forked ends in position to bear upon the lateral projections 240 upon the sleeve 237. "l'

end of the lever 239 extends dou/'nw dly and to the right (see Fig. T), and is I ovided with an adjusting point vscrew 241 near its lower end. The bracket 2 has a projecting` arrn 242 which extends outwardly and laterally to the right and to the left as at 243 and 244, and has the bearings v245 'lor the end of the shaft 11, and other bearings for the stub rock 246, which is mounted in the arin 244. Upon the inner end ot the rock shaft 246 is the arm '247, in position to engage the point oit' the screw 241, upon the outer end oi the rock shaft 246 is the arm 24S, which extends to the right and above the end of the shaft 11, and carries at its free end a rocking Cain lever 249. The lower end of this lever has the cani roller 250 in position to ride upon the periphery` of the cani 251 on the end of shaft 11. The cani 251 has a single high point 252 upon it. The upper end of the lever 249 has a slot and pin connection With the link 253, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the arin 254 upon the :shalt 220, which is rocked by the foot lever 228. The lower end of the cani lever 249 is connected by the spring 255 with the rigid arni 242, so that its normal tendency is to stand in th-e position shown in Fie'. This is the position it will take when the foot lever 223 is depressed; but with the foot lever raised, the link Will draw the lever 249 downwardly, there by permitting the arm 248 also to be de ressed and eorrespondinejly raising' .the zzz-u; l?, so that the lever 239 is free.

The spring' 236 will now set vthe clutch n'iechanisin above described, and the ma chine will proceed todo its Work. lit, hou 70 ever, the operator fails to properly loe i piece ot' button stock in the chuck, it becoines necessary to stop the machine; tht foot lever 223 is depressed thereby roll.' the shaift 220 and releasing' the eaux lever 75 249, so that the. spring' 255 will draw sau cani lever into the position indi-cated in Figi'. 7; when the cani point 252 rotates arour l and engages the cani roller 250, it will result in elevating` the arin '248 land dejiressing the 80 arin 24T against the lever 239, and cause the lorked upper end thereof to engage the projections 240 of the -sleeve 23?' and depress said sleeve against the tension ot' the spring 285. lt 'will be noted from reference to Fig. 85

38, that when the sleeve 235 is compressed against the spring 236, it will result in leasing' the clutch nieinber 231 Vtroni the clutch nieniber 230. This will result in resting the entire inachine since With all ot its cams and levers .a considerable resistance is offered. The stoppin` of the machine,

however, inust be properly tiined to take place when the chuck plate 23 is at ret this is accomplished by taking advantae@ oi the location of the two cains 214 and 215, on the shaft 11, which are utilized tor opening the ohuok jaws, as above described. When the tivo cains are in the positions indicated in Figs. 24, 25 and 26, it will be noted that the rod 211 cannot be nioved vertically, but that when the shaft 11 rotates through 'an angle 0f about i90 degrees from the position indicated in said figures, the cani rollers 212 and 213 will be tree. Under these conditions the chuck spring will, ydepress the bolt 96 against the rod 207, and therefore thierthe bell crank lever 208 into the dot/"ed line position indicated in Fig. 24. Thiswill be the position yzussuined when the chuck aus 90-91 grip a piece of button stock after the saine is inserted therebetween. lt the cpe:l^ a-tor has not properly inserted the button stock fat this point he inay depress the toot lever freely, since under these circumstances 11 the rod 211 will be somewhat elevated, and

until the shaft 11 has rotated about 180 degrees from the positions indicated in ,A 25 and 26, it can be operated by the toot lever; upon the depression olf' the toot lever it will be seen that the sliding' sleeve 217 with its lateral pins 218, will be drawn do .vn by the bifurcated arins of the lever 219. This accomplishes two results, first the drawing down of the rod 211 through the mechanism 12 above described, will push 4the rod 207 against the bolt 96, which is adjacent thereto, and thereby yopen 'the chuck jaws. At the same tiine the rocking of the sh ait220 by the depression of the foot lever 223, will release the cani lever E24-9, andthereby release the clutch members mounted upon the main sha-ft il, as above described.

lo the operation of the device, and from the gear ratios adopted, it will be" noted that the chuck plate 28 advances Q/Yths of atrevolution for each complete revolution of the shaft 11. 4teferring to Fig. 32 it will be noted that l have indicated the seven stepsv by the `.numbers l, Il, lll, 1V, V, Vl, and '.llie position, or step No. l, is the point at which the button stock is inserted iin into `the chuck jaws. rllhe posit-ion, or step lio isthe spotting positiom-that is the position in `which the spotting mechanism hecoiucs operative to set the cam plates 123, :in order to properly cut thebutton from the button stock held in the chuck, which is goveriied by that particular cam plate 123. Po-

sition llo. lll is the next advance, at which point the roughing cutter does its work.

PositionslV and V are idle positions. l?osition Nrn Vl corresponds to the finishing out position when the finishing cutters adi/'ai'ice upon the button stock in its finished forni7 but still leave it' adhering to the button stock bythe fin e, heretofore referred to. Position No. VH is the last position occuf i pied by a piece of the button stock; in this position the severing cutter becomes effective, after which the chuck opening mechaiiisiii becomes effective to open the chuck iaws {l0-91 and release the button stock,

and also ifsucli button stock should stick for any reason, as above described, the cam lever QOSsnapping over the shoulder cam 205-, gives the button stock a sharp rap and releases it.

llie chuck plate 23 advances from step llo. Vll to step No. I, when, of course, it will receive afresh piece of button stock as befoi'ed'cscribed. It must be understood i that as cach of the chucks in the chuck plate advances to position I, they are made ready to receive a fresh piece of button stock, and that each of `such chucks passes through the same cycle of operation above described; that the setting of the spotting mechanism at the position or step No. IL will set the cam plate 123sothat said cam plate operates both the roughing and the finishing cutter without resetting. y

.lt remains to describe several minor features `which add in their own way to the completeness of the operation of the device i and rcsultiu a more perfect product. Among theseniinor` features may be mentioned the chuck plate brake 260 shown in Figs. 19 and 35` said brake is mounted upon the end of a rock-shaft 26l,which is supported in the bearing 262, upon the forward part of the standard 198 in such position that the brake 260 may bear upon the chuck plate ill-1"). 'llie shaft 261 is provided with an eccentric bearing 263, upon which the brake 260 is mounted. The oppositeend of the shaft 261 has rigidly secured upon it the rock-arin 261i, extending forwardly and downwardly and having on its under side a powerful flat spring 265, with the lower end thereof bent over to forma bearing contactwith the cam 266 upon the shaft 11.

lililien t-he shaft 11 `is rotated in the direction of the arrow, as illustrated in Fig. 2?,

the lower end of "the spring 265 will ride upon the high point of the cam 285 and thus rock the shaft Qtil in such a manner as to cause the brake 2G() to bear upon the periphery of the chuck plate Qfand thus bring said chuck plate to a stop. The cam 26S is strain which the momentum of its forward motion might have upon other parts of the mechanism; for this reason it is desirable, as above indicated7 to provide the chuck plate brake 260 with the mechanism described, for

operating the saine.

Another minor feature iscomprised inthe guides for the `two reciprocating bars and 40. Referring` to Fig. 6, it will be noted `that the sleeves all-49 are provided respectively with the downwardly extending arms 267 and 26S, the lower ends of which are upwardly turned as at 26% and provided with friction rollers 270, which travel in the channels 271 upon the lower edge of the frame 1 as clearly illustrated in 39; thus anytendency of the two bars 39 and Ll0 to twist becomes effectively restrained by the two guide arms 267 and 26S.

Another minor feature of importance is conta-ined in the provision of means for car- :rying the shaft 25 past what mightbe termed' dead points, .which are produced by the maximum strain due to the riding of the two cam rollers -52 over the high points in the two cams 31H32, and the consequent expansion of the spring toward each other; this is accomplished by providingthe shaft 25 with a cani (sec Figs. 17 and 18), and a spring cam lever 272 pivotally mounted upon some party as upon an adjacent leg thereof of the inachine, and having a cani roller Q73 to bear upon the periphery of the cam 38. ik powerful spring 27a-ij is connected to said cani lever 273, and to some part ofthe machine frame, as for example one of the legs thereof, as illustrated inlfig. 6; the tendency o'` 4t2, whose tendency Ais to draw the two bars 39 and lO` llO of the powerful spring i2 this cam lever is'to serve as a sort of brake or resistance to the quick rot-ation ci the shaft 25 due to the cam rollers 45-f2, both entering the cam grooves 47-58, and running from their high points to their low points at the same time under the influence at such time the roller 273 will begin to ride upon the high segment of the cam 33, the result being -that between the two cam levers 45 and 51, vand the cam lever 272, the shaft 25 is subjected to a comparatively uniform resistance throughout a complete revolution.

rEhe button machine is entirely automatic and requires only such attention as is necessary to properly locate thebutton stock between the chuck jaws in position l of the chuck plate.

I regard the spotting mechanism de scribed above in detail, as one ot' the important features ot' my invention as it enables me tosave a large percentage'oi button stock and to cut pertectbuttons therefrom, whereas hitherto because of the peculiar shapes ot the slabs ot button stock only culls or discarts could be cut from them and yet the material itselt is such that a perfect button can be cut troni it it it is only cut from the proper part ot such button stock.

l claim:

l. In a button making machine, the conibination ot a chuck for'gripping and holding irregular-lj7 shaped button stock, a stock spotting finger for successively adif'ancing against a plurality of rpoints in the tace ot the button stock, a cutting tool and means for advancing said cutting tool against the button stock to a depth vdetermined by the maximum advance of saidspotting finger.

2, lin a button making machine, the combination'ot a Achuck for gripping and holding an irregularly shaped slab ot button stock, a stock spotting iinger with means for successively advancing said `linger to contact at a plurality of points upon one face oit said button stock, a pair'oat button cutting tool-s arranged in alignment with each other upon opposite sides ci' said button stock, and means for advancing said toolsfagainst said stock to cut a but-ton there ironuthe degree of suchtool advance being governed by the maximum advance o't said spotting linger.

In a button making machine, the combination ot a circular chuck plate, an odd number ot". button stock gripping' chucks upon the tace et said plate, means for intermittently rotating said plate to bring said chucks successively into cutting position,Y a stock spotting mounted adjacent to the path ot said chucks, means for successively advancing said -linger to contact with a plurality ot points in the tace et said button stock, a button cutting tool,

means for'advancing said'tool against said button stock, and operating connections between said finger and said tool for limiting the advance of said tool to a point determined by the maximum advance of said finger.

1i. ln a button'infaking machine, the combination of achuck plate, means for intern'iittently giving said platea partial revolution, means fi'or` gripping a. plurality oi irregularly shaped slabs oi button stock upon one fac-e or" said plate, la stock spotting iingerfniountedfadjacent tothe path ot said button stock as the same yis intermittently yadvanced by the rotation ot said chuckI plate, means v"for advancing said linger into successive points off-contact withthe button stock, a ybutton cutting tool, 'means for anvancing said cutting tool upon said button stoel; as the same is brought to rest adjacent thereto, and cam `operated connections between saiditool and linger ftfor limiting the advance'ofsaidtool to a point determined by the maximum advance of said linger.

lfn a button making machine,fthe coinbination ot a chuck plate, a 4button stock gripping chuck thereoncomprising a pair ofi pivoted jawsianda fixed jaw, a spring actu-ated bolt tor drawing vsaid jaws together to grip a `work-piece therebetween, and a cam-actuated presser :foot adapted to bear upon said bolt tor increasingthe pressure otsa'id pivoted jaws upon-said worlpiece.

G. In .a button'makingmachine.the combination vot a chuck fplate, a plurality lof button stock egrippi'ngchucks thereon, each comprising a fixed tubular jaw and'apair of pivoted jaws -cofoperating:therewith for gripping a slab fof button :stock therebetween and -a spring actuated bolt connected to `said fpivoted jaws, lmeans for intermittently rotatingsaid chuck plate Ato bring each otsaid chucks successively into operative position, Vand a lcam-actuated presser toot adapted 4,to bear-upon ithe end fot said bo'lt for increasing the ygripping action ot said pivoted jaws while `said chuck is in operative position.

7. In abutton ymakingimachine, the combination of a'chuckrpla'te havinga series ot seven button stock holdingchucks arranged in a circle and ,uniformlyspaced apart lon the tace thereofi'` means for vrotating said plate two -seventhsfoi vairevolution ata time. to intermittently and successively advance said chucks finto seven positions of rest during t-wocomplete .revolutions of'said plate. and means for vgiving a slabot 'button stock held in one oitsaid chucks a roughing cui: in its third position of rest, aiinishing cut in its sixth position of rest-.aud a 'button severing cut in its seventh position of rest.

in a button emaking machine, the'combination `et la lcircular chuck plate, a series iii) `and progressively operating :incarica ci? seven button stock holding chucks "unitormiy spaced apart upon thetace et sald. plate, means for .intermittently rotating said plate two sevenths ot' a revolution at a time to advance the alternate chucks ot said seriesV successively into the same operative posisimultaneously tion ot rest, and meansftor `upon the stock held in four of said. chucks during the periods et rest.

9. In a button making machine, the coinbination of a chuck plate having a series ot sevenbntton stock holding chucks spaced apart `1n the tace thcreol", and means for intermittently rotating said chuck plate two `seveirths ot a revolution at a time, whereby X `each of saidv series' of chucks is brought successively into the saine operativev position during two completerevolutions ot said chuck plate.` f

l0. In a buttonmakino' machine, thecoinbination of a circular chuck `plate having a `series oli seven chucks spaced apart upon the tace the-reo'hineans 'for intermittently rotating said plate two sevenths of a revolution at a time to bring `alternate chucks successively into the saine operative position ot y rest, whereby each chuck will be brought into said position ot rest during two coinplete revolutions ot said chuck plate.

11. Ina button making machine, the coinbination of a circular chuck plate, having a series et seven chucks `spaced apart upon the 'tace thereof, means for intermittently rotating said plate two sevenths of a revolution at a time to bring alternate chucks successively into the same operative position ot rest, means for progressively operating upon work-pieces held in said chucks during cach ot said periods ot rest.

l2. In a but-ton making machine, the combination of a circular chuck plate having a` series of seven spring actuated chucks spaced apart upon the face thereo't, means ttor intermittently rotating said plate two sevenths of a revolution at a time to bring alternate chucks successively into initial position ot rest, and means lfor opening said chucks to receive work-pieces as and when said alternate chucks are so brought to said initial posit-ion of rest.

i8; In a button making machine, the coinbination oi? a circular chuck plate having an odd number ot work-piece gripping chucks spaced apart upon the :tace thereof, a continuously rotating shaift, means connecting said shatt with said chuck plate, for converting the continuous rotation oit `the former into an intermittent rotation ot thelatter twice the spacing of the chucks 'to bring alternate chucks successivelyinto an initial position of rest, a chuck opening device. and means actuated by said shaft `for y operating said chuck opening device 'to open said alternate chucks 'as and when said chucks are brought successively to said. in-

itial position et rest.

ill, In a button making machine, the coinbination of a circular chuck plate having an odd number of work holding chucks` spaced `apart on the tace thereot', means Jfor intermittently rotating said chuck plate two spaces at a time to bring alternatechucks successively into operative positions ot rest, and means tor automatically locking said chuck plate against rotation as and when said plate is so brought to rest. i

l5. `In a button making machine, the coinbination ot a circular chuck plate having an odd number ot chucks spaced apart upon the tace thereof, means for interniittently rotating said chuck plate tlwospaces at a time to bring alternate chucks successively into an operative position ot rest during two complete revolutions oit said plate, a button cutting tool and means tor successively advancing said tool upon button stock held in said chucks as and when said chucks are successively brought to said operative positions 0l' rest.

lG. In a button making machine, the combination ot' a stock spotting-device, comprising an intermittently rotating reciprocating snuit-,an oitset point adapted to engage atV different spots an irregularly shaped workl piece held in alignment with said shaft and thereby limit its reciprocation, a push rod reciprocated by and to the saineextent as said shaft, and an adjustable camv plate located in iront of and actuated by said push rod to vary the adjustment"thereof in accordance with theextent ot reciprocation ot said shaft.

17. In a button cutting machine, the combination of a pair ot .aligned tubular tool actuating bars, a spring within and connected to the nonadjacent ends of said bars t'or drawing the same toward each other, and cam actuated mechanism sliding said bars away from each other, a button cutting tool connected to and reciprocated by each oi said bars respectively and adapted `to operate upon opposite faces of a button blank simultaneously.

18. In a button cutting machine, the combination ot a pair ot aligned tubular tool actuating bars, a spring within and connected to the nonadjacent ends ot said bars for drawing the same toward each other and cam actuated mechanism.y sliding saidbars away from each other, a button cutting tool connected to and reciprocated by each ot said bars respectively and adaptedto operate upon opposite faces ot a button blank simultaneously, and means for adjusting said tool longitudinally in the direction of its travel.

19.V In a button cutting machine, the coinbination of a pair of aligned tubular tool actuating bars, a spring within and conloo 

